To erase fears and doubts, train everyone in the organization on the basics of the equipment management program, from accounting manager to mechanics – everyone. Communicate both short- and long-term goals and successes to convince the team that this is a long-term strategy. It is the organization’s future.

ú  Designate dedicated equipment management program responsibilities. When the right person is designated to champion the cause, implementing an equipment management program within the business will be more focused and timely – which translates to greater rewards at an accelerated pace for the organization.

Step 4. Conduct site and system analysis.

ú  Analyze job sites, maintenance departments, maintenance products, and management systems.

ú  Discover needed products, systems, and support to get the most effective and efficient use of equipment.

ú  Review existing resources.

ú  Determine specific gaps in resources and equipment.

ú  Construct a plan for every piece of equipment.

Once specific gaps in maintenance resources and levels of expertise are identified, a cost-effective equipment management plan for the entire life cycle of equipment can be developed. The plan should include additional training for a limited repair staff in order to make them as efficient as possible.

A site operations and maintenance advisor (SOMA) may help facilitate this step. Equipment dealers may be able to assist operators in obtaining a SOMA site assessment. This process will help identify the effect an operation’s current status has on component life and assist it in constructing a process improvement plan.

Step 5. Implement a machine-specific project management system.

ú  Register all equipment, assets, and records about scheduled events in a project management system. First, enter all basic equipment model and serial number information into the system. Using the serial number, the system should allow knowledge-based decisions about component life, before- and after-failure risk, and the timing of preventive maintenance for specific machines.

ú  Provide proactive information regarding those events using the system to schedule resources and record each event’s completion. For example, suppose the system alerts an operator that 16 of 40 pieces of equipment are scheduled for an engine overhaul within the next 18 months. The operator can prepare a schedule to minimize equipment downtime. In addition, the system can develop alternative solutions, e.g., rental options, then record completion of each event immediately after it takes place.

ú  Use “manage-by-exception” systems to track the success or failure of planning. With a solid understanding of the business environment, needs, and resources, an operator can detect opportunities for improvement. For example, the system notes that a particular model is always behind on preventive maintenance. This may indicate that repair technicians lack the tools and expertise to complete the repair on that particular piece of equipment. Once this realization is made, an operator can take action to get the equipment back on schedule.